Judge names public defender for murder defendant Created by on 9/22/2012 6:39:12 PM

A northwest Indiana judge has appointed a public defender to help with the defense of a Hammond man charged with murdering his 13-year-old son three years ago, but also ordered a private attorney to stay on.

Lake Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell arrived at the compromise during a pretrial hearing Friday for Riley Choate. He is scheduled to go on trial October 9th on murder and other charges in the death of Christian Choate.

Choate had requested a new lawyer following Boswell's decision not to allow his attorney, Randy Godshalk, to be paid as a public defender. Choate also claimed there appeared to be a lack of attention by the unpaid Godshalk in preparing his case. Godshalk denied that.